Hey All,
So i’ve finally decided to start a HO scale layout, I’ve decided to start small and build it on 2 by 4 foot baseboards, and slowly build up and entire layout (prolly very slowly)
Anyone interested can follow the progress at http://www.slpnz.com/rail
Webpage pretty basic at the moment.
Since I believe that you need to be able to run some trains to remain interested, I started by building a 4x8 (HO) 3 times around self contained layout with 4 turnouts for future expansion.
I mostly finished it, track, paint, trees, ground cover, buildings, etc.
I then began adding 2x8 modules one at a time.
It now is a 16x18 around the room, with the original 4x8 being the only benchwork that is more than 2 feet deep.
PS
Welcome aboard.
SLPNZ:
Congratulations on driving your first spike, so to speak! I also have built two HO layouts on modular tables (I used 2 x 6 foot ones, locked together with C-clamps). Even though I could only run an engine and a couple of cars “back and forth,” I liked being able to see light at the end of the tunnel on each section almost as soon as I started. I missed out on that rewarding “finally finished” feeling when I tried an earlier, room-sized HO layout - it seemed like, no matter how much I added or time I spent, it was never even close to being done, and I finally scrapped it. So good luck on your modular, and I hope you see results fast! (And that Atlas passenger station is about my favorite railroad structure kit, by the way - quite similar to a station near where I live, complete with green REA express cart.)
Yeah its good to be able to run the trains instead of having them sit on the shelf or just run on a circle of track on the floor.
The model of the station was very easy to build (considering i don’t have much model building experience) and now today just finished a house model
With the track down now i will be starting on the scenery, just a few hills and maybe a small pond.
Good luck with the scenery, and keep the photos coming!
Been a while since an update.
But i have decided to scrap my first 2x4 module and start a new layout due to new space made avalible and new ideas.
Heres a video of construction and operation on the 2x4 module http://www.slpnz.com/rail/index2.html
Still Planning new layout but should have some plans on my site soon.